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October 11, 2013

Newest Connect Webcast Explores The American Political Divide

Colonial Williamsburg’s newest Connect webcast, “American Ideas: The Political Divide,” explores the role of political parties in shaping the direction of the republic in a live program presented at noon EDT, Thursday, Oct. 17.

In 1796, President George Washington wrote his farewell speech at the end of his second term. Opposing factions organized to determine the future direction of the national government. Thomas Jefferson, the Democratic-Republican, views the new nation as built on the backs of an agrarian society, while Alexander Hamilton, the Federalist, sees the possibility of world economic power through trade. Colonial Williamsburg historian Bill Sullivan provides historical context. Jennifer L. Thompson from the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University provides current political analysis. Well-known Hampton Roads public affairs broadcaster Cathy Lewis hosts and moderates the hour-long program.

“American Ideas: The Political Divide” looks at political parties, partisanship and the role of national government historically and their application in modern issues, such as the debt ceiling, economic policy, balancing private wealth with common wealth and American influence worldwide.

The Connect series began in the fall of 2011 with programs that examined constitutional issues and were webcast on Colonial Williamsburg’s citizenship website, http://connect.history.org/

The American Ideas programs are part of a series of Colonial Williamsburg live webcasts debating our nation’s most basic values and how they shape our republic and are one of many programs that support Colonial Williamsburg’s initiatives as a center for history and citizenship.